SCAM ALERT
LOTTERY SCAM UPDATE

May  6, 2005

ALBUQUERQUE - Recent reports of a resurfacing old scam have prompted the New Mexico Lottery Authority to alert players to do business only with authorized lottery retailers. Strangers claiming to have winning lottery tickets have approached area residents, particularly older New Mexicans. In every instance, Spanish-speaking individuals have approached others who also speak Spanish. At least one victim has recently been conned; seven instances were reported statewide last August.

“The most recent case occurred in Albuquerque, but there is every reason to believe that these organized teams may fan out across the state as they have done before,” said Tom Romero, the Lottery’s executive vice president of security.

The most recent incident involve a woman purporting to have a large winning lottery tickets, alleging that she was unable to claim it because she is not a U.S. citizen. Usually approaching their intended victims in various Albuquerque parking lots and businesses, they offer the bogus tickets in exchange for varying amounts of money for the victims to redeem them on the winners’ behalf. They will usually claim that the ticket had already been verified as winners by the Lottery, or pretend to call the Lottery for verification, trying to convince the intended victims that there is no need to involve or inform anyone else. The intended victims are then asked to withdraw “up-front” money from banks or ATMs.

Known as “pigeon drops,” these thefts should be reported to local law enforcement agencies for further investigation, since the crimes are considered fraud and not specific violations of the New Mexico Lottery Act.

Similar incidents have occurred here and in other states for years. In some cases, including the most recent known occurrence, New Mexicans have paid money for what turned out to be bogus tickets.

· No one should ever have to pay someone else for a legitimate winning lottery ticket.

· If someone is approached, he or she should get as much information as possible, decline the offer, and call local law enforcement authorities with as many details as possible, including any car and license plate descriptions.

· There are almost 1,200 licensed New Mexico Lottery retailers statewide. They are the only legitimate sellers of lottery tickets. The same is true for authorized lottery retailers in bordering states, where the scam artists may also try to approach New Mexicans in border counties.

· New Mexico residency, or U.S. citizenship, are not eligibility factors for prizes.

· Any high-winning instant (scratcher) or online (Powerball, Roadrunner Cash, 4 This Way! or Pick 3) ticket exceeding $600 needs to be brought to Lottery headquarters for verification.